Judge sentences Sacramento child 'predator' to lengthy term

A Sacramento man was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison on Thursday for child pornography-related charges.

Phillip J. Colwell, 54, pleaded guilty to producing child pornography, sending obscene matter to a minor and using a cellphone to lure a minor to engage in unlawful sexual conduct in April 2012, the U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of California stated.

According to Colwell's guilty plea, one of his victims was a 14-year-old boy to whom he sent sexually explicit photos and from whom he sought the same. He also tried to engage the boy in sexual conduct.

The other victim was a 16-year-old boy with whom the Colwell had sex. He also took sexually explicit pictures of the teen and posted them on a website with the intent of pimping him, per Colwell's plea.

In handing down the sentence, Judge Troy. L. Nunley said to Colwell, "You are a predator. You prey on young boys."